Slider



Oct. 26, 1965 s. AUsNlT 3,213,504

SLIDER Filed Aug. 31, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l [lll S. AUSNIT Oct. 26, 1965SLIDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 3l, 1962 United States Patent O3,213,504 SLIDER Steven Ausnit, 124 E. 61st St., New York, N.Y. FiledAug. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 220,824 7 Claims. (Cl. 243-201) The presentinvention relates to improvements in flexible fastener strips of thetype which attach to the top of 4a bag for closing and reopening thebag, and particularly to an improved slider for strips of the hingedtype.

In hinged fastener strips first and second strips are provided each witha web portion for attaching to the top edges of a bag, and marginalportions. The marginal portions have interlocking rib and grooveelements on their facing surfaces which interlock when the marginalportions are pressed together and separate when the marginal portionsare forcibly drawn apart. In a hinged fastener the marginal portion ofthe second strip is attached to its web portion by -a laterallyextending integral hinge portion.

In providing a slider for fastener strips of various types and of thehinged type as above described it is necessary that the slider becapable of moving along the strips without inadvertently moving orjumping off of the edge of the strips. It is also desirous that theslider be movable with a minimum of elfort and not catch or bind intransversing the strips in either a closing or an opening direction. Itis also desirous that the slider be made out of a strong material withthe use of a minimum of material and with parts that can be `formedconveniently by a bending operation in order to reduce the complexity ofmaking the slider and the cost of manufacture thereof.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of a slider forflexible fastener strips, having a back portion and downwardly bentsides for straddling the strips. A feature of the invention resides inthe sides being parallel rather than tapered toward each other. Theslider has a separator finger for separating the strips when moved in anopening direction. In accordance with the structure, only one side ofthe slider is bent inwardly in a flange at its lower edge and the otherside does not have to be turned in since the slider is held on thestrips and in an oriented position by use of the separator iin-ger. Theseparator finger is turned laterally beneath the marginal portion whichis hingedly attached to its web portion, and additionally has .a slidingblade which travels between the marginal portion and web portion.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide animproved slider for hinged fastener strips wherein the slider is ofsimplified construction permitting one side of the slider to be plain,and wherein the slider is stably held on the strips without danger ofbeing inadvertently removed therefrom, and wherein the slider isreliably held in an oriented linear position as it moves in eitherdirection along the strips.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved slider for ahinged fastener wherein the slider has simple planar parallel surfacesand is simpler and less expensive to manufacture than sliders heretoforeavailable.

An important object of the invention is to provide a slider wherein thesides for locking fastener strips are parallel instead of tapered.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener with parallelsides and an ear which juts out at an angle from one of the sides toextend the area available for grasping the slider.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a slider forhinged fastener strips which permits making a heavier shoulder on theunhinged portion of the fastener 3,213,504 Patented Oct. 26, 1965 icestrip along with a deeper flange or bend beneath the side of the slider`for riding beneath the marginal portion to insure better retention ofthe slider on the strips.

Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent withthe teaching of the principles of the invention in connection with thedisclosure of the preferred embodiments thereof in the speciiication,claims and drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a slider constructed in accordancewith the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of fastener strips secured to a bag withthe strips being of the hinged construction used with the slider;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line III-III ofFIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along lineIV-IV of FIGURE 1 at the closing end of the slider;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line V-Vof FIGURE l at the opening end of the slider;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of another form of slider embodying thevprinciples of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VII-VII ofFIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along lineVIII-VIII of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along lineIX-IX of FIGURE 6.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a slider 10 for closing or opening the flexibleclosure strips 11 and 12 of FIGURE 2. The closure strips are illustratedas mounted at the top of a pouch or bag 13 having side walls 14 and 15to provide an opening at the top, and the closure strips 11 and 12 willseal the bag during storage, and are separable for access to the bagcontents. The bag may be formed of a ilexible plastic material such aspolyvinyl chloride or polyethylene. The strips are formed of a similarplastic material and are bonded such as by heat sealing to the materialof the bag.

Suitable materials for the manufacture of the closure strips 11 and 12include the thermoplastic yand thermosetting organic synthetic resins,and the strips are commonly transparent or translucent colorlessplastic. Of particular importance for this use are the vinyl type resinssuch as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylchloride-polyvinyl `acetate copolymers, and similar vinyl resins, andpolyethylene. Rubber, either natural or synthetic, is not a preferredmaterial since, in the case of rubber, it is more diflicult to controlthe degree of rigidity for interlocking engagement between the strips.However, by proper compounding and vulcanizing the rubber, the degree ofrigidity can `be controlled to make rubber acceptable for purposes ofthe instant invention.

The fastener or closure strips 11 and 12 include web portions 16 and 17for attachment to the bag, and marginal portions 18 and 19. On theconfronting faces of the marginal portions are rib and groove elementsas illustrated by the ribs 20 on the marginal portion 18, which arehook-shaped and interlock in coacting mating grooves 22 in the marginalportion 19. The marginal portion 19 similarly has hook-shaped ribportions 21 which interlock in grooves 23 in the marginal portion 18.The strips are formed of a resilient material so that lateral forceswill cause the ribs and grooves to interlock, and when the strips areforcibly pried apart by the slider separator nger the ribs and grooveswill separate.

In the hinged type of flexible fastener illustrated, the marginalportion 19 is hingedly attached to its web portion 17 by a laterallyextending hinge portion 24. The hinge portion is integral with the weband groove portions and is located above the longitudinal centerline ofthe marginal portion 19. Surfaces of the marginal portion 19 and webportion 17 confront each other in a space 25.

The marginal portion 1S is integral with its Web portion 16 at the baseof the marginal portion, and the marginal portion provides a downwardlyfacing shoulder 26.

A slider 10, as illustrated in FIGURES l and 3 through 5, has a back 27with downwardly bent or turned sides 28 and 29. The slider 10 ispreferably integral and made from one piece of sheet metal with theelements being cut and bent therefrom, It will of course be understoodthat the slider can be made by other methods such as being molded orcast and formed of a hard material. The slider however is well adaptedto a simple construction with planar surfaces and can be readily cut andbent from sheet metal.

The sides 28 and 29 have planar inner surfaces which taper toward eachother at a closing end C of the slider and slidably engage the outersurface of the strips 11 and 12 when the slider is moved in a closingdirection. This forces the rib and groove elements together tointerlocking position.

The side 28 is bent inwardly at its lower end with a retaining ilange30. This flange can be made quite deep and Slides beneath the shoulder26 of the strip 11. The second side 29 has no retaining flange andterminates in a plain edge 31. The flange 30 is shown as provided with abeveled leading edge 32 which tapers outwardly toward the side 28 facingthe opening end O of the slider.

The back 27 is provided with an extension 33 at the opening end O oftheslider and a finger 34 is bent laterally downwardly from the material ofthe extension 33 so that it has planar side surfaces extending linearlyparallel to the direction of movement of the slider.

At its lower end, the finger is bent inwardly in a lateral portion 35which projects beneath a surface or shoulder 35a below the marginalportion 19. A vertical blade portion 36 is bent upwardly from the edgeof the lateral portion 35 and this blade portion 36 slides in the space25, FIGURE 5. This lateral portion 35 and blade 36 holds the slider inits linearly oriented position, and 'is located out linearly ahead ofthe slider to stably and accurately position the slider. Thus the slideris stabilized in a lateral `direction by the finger 34 and the bladeportion 36 on the one hand, and in a longitudinal direction by thelateral portion 35 and the extension 33 on the other hand, since theseface in opposition to each other and ride on each of the sides of themarginal portion 19. This avoids the necessity of providing a lateralflange on the edge 31 of the second side 29 of the slider. This alsomakes possible a wide flange 30, on the side 28. Finally, this makespossible a method of very reliably holding the slider on the strips andavoiding accidental dislodging.

In summary, as the slider is moved in a closing direction the strips 18and 19 are fed between the sides 28 and 29 which cam the strips togetherand cause the rib and groove elements to interlock. When the strip ismoved in an opening direction, the finger 34 forces the strips apart toseparate them. The closing end C, with the back 27 and sides 28 and 29,as well as the .flange 30 surround the strips from four sidesstabilizing the position of the slider at one end. The opening end Osurrounds the strips from four sides as the extension 33, the nger 34,the lateral portion 35 and the blade portion 36, engage the strips fromfour sides stabilizing the slider at the opening end. Thus channels areprovided at each end engaging the strips with planar surfacesstabilizing and orienting the position of the slider and holding it onthe strips.

A reinforced ridge 33a can be punched into the extension 33 tostrengthen the rigidity of this extension.

FIGURES 6 through 9 illustrate a slider 40 which has -a back portion 41with downwardly extending sides 42 and 43. The slider is formed of onepiece and preferably is constructed of sheet metal cut and shaped asillustrated. The surfaces are each planar and the slider 4) presents astrong easily manufactured unit.

The sides 42 and 43 are parallel to each other and the inner surfaceswhich slide along the strips are parallel. This provides a stabilizingchannel or conduit which engages the strips from four directions aidingand orienting and holding the slider in linear alignment and preventingthe slider from inadvertently coming off of the strips. Making the sidesparallel instead of tapering toward each other considerably facilitatesthe manufacture and production of the slider.

At the lower edge of the side 42 is a horizontal inwardly bent ilange44. This flange can be provided of substantial depth for riding beneaththe shoulder 26 of the strips, as illustrated in FIGURE 8. Theconstruction which permits the second side 43 to be straight without aninturned flange at its lower end, permits the provision of a deepershoulder 26 and therefore a deeper ilange 44 and therefore a betterretention of the fastener strips.

For channeling the strips together as the slider is moved in a closingdirection, a camming plate or ear 45 extends outwardly from the side 42.This ear 45 extends the area of the side 42 that is available forgrasping the slider.

The retaining flange 44 is beveled along its leading edge 46approximately in alignment with the ear 45, as shown in FIGURE 7 toaccommodate entry of the strip 1S into the slider.

The back section 41 is provided with an extension 47, and the side 43extends linearly at 48. These extensions provide stabilizing surfacesfor sliding along the strip 19 and for supporting the slider as itchannels the strip 18 into .interlocking engagement with the strip 19.

A separating linger 49 is bent downwardly from the back extension 47 toslide between the strips for separating them when the slider is moved inan opening direction, as illustrated in FIGURE 9. The ilnger is bentlaterally in a retaining tab 50 which slides beneath the marginalportion 19 of the strip 12. Thus the strip 19 is engaged from four sidesat the opening end O of the slider to aid in orienting its position, andthe `tab 50 also aids in preventing the slider from inadvertently beinglifted off of the strips.

Thus it will be seen that the arrangement of FIGURES 6 through 9provides a slider which meets the objectives and advantages above setforth, and the slider is provided with parallel walls with only one ofthe slider walls or sides turned in at the bottom thereby allowing for asimpler method of manufacture and for better holding qualities of theslider on the strips.

The drawings and specification present a detailed disclosure of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, and it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the specific forms disclosed, but coversall modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methodsfalling within the scope of the principles taught by the invention,

I claim as my invention:

1. A ilexible closure comprising first and second fastener strips eachhaving a web portion and an attached marginal portion with releasablyinterlocking rib and groove elements on the facing surfaces of themarginal portions and with the marginal portion of the second stripattached to its web portion by a laterally extending integral hingeportion, a slider for the strips including a back with downturned firstand second sides having inner planar surfaces tapering together toward aclosing end of the slider for interlocking the rib and groove elements,an inturned flange at the lower edge of the rst side extending beneaththe marginal portion of the first strip, said second side being free ofinturned flanges, an extension on the back projecting towards theopening end of the slider, downturned finger having planar side surfacesfor separating the strips, a lateral portion at the lower edge of thelinger extending beneath the marginal portion of the second strip, and ablade extending upwardly from the lateral portion between the marginaland web portions of the second strip.

2. A exible closure comprising,

first and second fastener strips each having a web portion and anattached marginal portion with releasably interlocking rib and grooveelements on the facing surfaces of the marginal portions and with themarginal portion of the second strip alongside its web portion andattached to its web portion by a laterally extending integral hingeportion,

a slider for the strips including a back with downturned first andsecond sides having inner planar surfaces spaced for interlocking therib and groove elements,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of theslider,

a downturned linger on said extension,

and a lateral portion at the lower edge of the finger extending beneaththe marginal portion of the second strip slidably engaging the loweredge of the marginal portion stabilizing the opening end of the slider.

3. A flexible closure comprising,

first and second lfastener strips each having a web portion and anattached marginal portion with releasably interlocking rib and grooveelements on the facing surfaces of the marginal portions and with themarginal portion of the second strip alongside its web portion andattached to its web portion by a laterally extending integral hingeportion,

a slider for the strips including a back with downturned first andsecond sides having inner planar surfaces spaced for interlocking therib and groove elements,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

said inner planar surfaces of the first and second sides taperingtogether toward the closing end of the slider,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of theslider,

a downturned finger on said extension,

and a lateral portion at the lower edge of the finger extending beneaththe marginal portion of the second strip slidably engaging the loweredge of the marginal portion stabilizing the opening end of the slider.

4. A fiexible closure comprising,

first and second fastener strips each having a web portion and anattached marginal portion with releasably interlocking rib and grooveelements on the facing surfaces of the marginal portions and with themarginal portion of the second strip alongside its web portion andattached to its web portion by a laterally extending integral hingeportion,

a slider for the strips including a back with downturned first andsecond sides having inner planar surfaces spaced for interlocking therib and groove elements,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

said downturned first and second sides being parallel with said innerplanar surfaces being spaced apart a substantially uniform distance fromthe opening end to the closing end,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of theslider,

a downturned finger on said extension,

and a lateral portion at the lower edge of the finger extending beneaththe marginal portion of the second strip slidably engaging the loweredge of the marginal portion stabilizing the opening end of the slider.

5. A flexible closure comprising,

first and second fastener strips each having a web portion and anattached marginal portion with releasably interlocking rib and grooveelements on the facing surfaces of the marginal portions and with themarginal portion of the second strip alongside its web portion andattached to its web portion by a laterally extending integral hingeportion,

a slider for the strips including a back with downturned first andsecond sides having inner planar surfaces spaced for interlocking therib and groove elements,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

an inturned fiange at the lower end of the first side extending beneaththe marginal portion of the first strip,

a bevelled leading edge on said flange at the opening end of the slider,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of theslider,

a downturned finger on said extension,

and a lateral portion at the lower edge of the finger extending beneaththe marginal portion of the second strip slidably engaging the loweredge of the marginal portion stabilizing the opening end of the slider.

6. A flexible closure comprising,

lirst and second fastener strips each having a web portion and anattached marginal portion with releasably interlocking rib and grooveelements on the facing surfaces of the marginal portions and with themarginal portion of the second strip alongside its web portion andattached to its web portion by a laterally extending integral hingeportion,

a slider for the strips including a back with downturned first andsecond sides having inner planar surfaces spaced for interlocking therib and groove elements,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

and an ear on said first side at the opening end of the sliderprojecting angularly laterally outwardly and forwardly for guiding thefirst strip between the sides of the slider,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of theslider,

a downturned finger on said extension,

and a lateral portion at the lower edge of the finger extending beneaththe marginal portion of the second strip slidably engaging the loweredge of the marginal portion stabilizing the opening end of the slider.

7. A fiexible closure comprising,

first and second fastener strips each having a web portion and anattached marginal portion with releasably interlocking rib and grooveelements on the facing surfaces of the marginal portions and with themarginal portion of the second strip alongside its web portion andattached to its web portion by a laterally extending integral hingeportion,

a slider for the strips including a back with downturned first andsecond sides having inner planar surfaces spaced for interlocking therib and groove elements,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of theslider,

a downturned finger on said extension,

a lateral portion at the lower edge of the linger extending beneath themarginal portion of the second strip slidably engaging the lower edge ofthe marginal 3,074,137 portion stabilizing the opening end of theslider, 3,115,689 and a vertical portion extending upwardly from thelateral portion between the marginal and web portions of the secondstrip. 5 5 64,633 1,034,230 References Cited by the Examiner 1,072,065

UNITED STATES PATENTS Statham 313,16*; 1,703,712 2/29 Aug 24-2013 101,959,319 5/34 Sipe 24-20l.3 2,764,793 10/56 Sander 24-20L3 FOREIGNPATENTS Belgium. France. France.

Great Britain. Switzerland. Switzerland.

DONLEY I. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

1. A FLEXIBLE CLOSURE COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND FASTENER STRIPS EACHHAVING A WEB PORTION AND AN ATTACHED MARGINAL PORTION WITH RELEASABLYINTERLOCKING RIB AND GROOVE ELEMENTS ON THE FACING SURFACES OF THEMARGINAL PORTIONS AND WITH THE MARGINAL PORTION OF THE SECOND STRIPATTACHED TO ITS WEB PORTION BY A LATERALLY EXTENDING INTEGRAL HINGEPORTION, A SLIDER FOR THE STRIPS INCLUDING A BACK WITH DOWNTURNED FIRSTAND SECOND SIDES HAVING INNER PLANAR SURFACES TAPERING TOGETHER TOWARD ACLOSING END OF THE SLIDER FOR INTERLOCKING THE RIB AND GROOVE ELEMENTS,AN INTURNED FLANGE AT THE LOWER EDGE OF THE FIRST SIDE EXTENDING BENEATHTHE MARGINAL PORTION OF THE FIRST STRIP, SAID SECOND SIDE BEING FREE OFINTURNED FLANGES, AN EXTENSION ON THE BACK PROJECTING TOWARDS THEOPENING END OF THE SLIDER, A DOWNTURNED FINGER HAVING PLANAR SIDESURFACES FOR SEPARATING THE STRIPS, A LATERAL PORTION AT THE LOWER EDGEOF THE FINGER EXTENDING BENEATH THE MARGINAL PORTION OF THE SECONDSTRIP, AND A BLADE EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE LATERAL PORTION BETWEENTHE MARGINAL AND WEB PORTIONS OF THE SECOND STRIP.